Exhaust manifold heat tape

[NerdNoise]

So I did some PM over the weekend and did the PHH, water pump, belts, etc. and took my exhaust manifold heat shields off. I came across some extra heat tape I've had lying around and decided to wrap the manifold and the two pipes as they head out of the engine bay. Here are two questions though:

• I know that the cats like to be hot to function well but can they get too hot? Will wrapping the exhaust all the way to the cats overheat them?
• Am I setting myself up for an engine fire because now I'm giving all the engine oil and sludge a place to soak up instead of burning off when it lands on the hot metal pipes?

Thanks.

 

[NLXTACY]

I would be more worried about trapped moisture and rust. If you live in a rust prone area I would remove the tape/wrap.

 

[NerdNoise]

"I would be more worried about trapped moisture and rust. If you live in a rust prone area I would remove the tape/wrap."

How would moisture get trapped? The whole system still gets hot and any moisture would evaporate pretty quickly. Right?

 

[NLXTACY]

Sure. Tell that to my $1800 stainless exhaust on my 68 Camaro here in SoCal.

Yes, moisture boils off...when the car is running. And not all of it boils away say during a rain storm.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Who's putting SS headers on their 1FZ? I say wrap them and delete the cat.